Chinese border police uncovered a people smuggling case on Thursday, detaining 71 people, including two suspected smugglers.

A spokesperson with Dalian Border Police said reports were received Wednesday that a number of people planned to leave China by boat through Dalian, a port city in northeast China.

Police intercepted a ship near Laopian Island at 1:50 a.m. on Thursday, seizing 57 men and 12 women suspected of leaving the country illegally and two suspected smugglers.

Initial investigations showed that the detained boat people, mostly from northeast China and Fujian Province, east China, planned to seek jobs in a foreign country.

The case was still under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2003)